The Grade 8 class at King George Community School in Saskatoon donated $1,000 from its graduation ceremony fund to the Red Cross relief efforts after fires forced the evacuation of nearly 90,000 people from the northern Alberta communityCourtesy Saskatoon Public School Division

A group of Saskatoon elementary students gave up their graduation money to help people affected by the Fort McMurray wildfires. A local business has stepped in to ensure the kids still get their night to celebrate.

Last week, the Grade 8 class at King George Community School donated $1,000 to the Red Cross relief efforts after fires forced the evacuation of nearly 90,000 people from the northern Alberta community.

On Monday, a Saskatoon-based business, Points Athabasca Contracting, offered $1,000 to cover costs of the farewell celebration for the class.

The students have been “overwhelmed” by the response to their donation, said principal Krista Sego. The company, in turn, was overwhelmed by what the students did.

“I think the beauty of that whole thing is the fact that humanity has not died. Our youth may be the ones bringing that to the forefront now and teaching us all a lesson,” said Points Athabasca community relations and training coordinator Glen Strong.

“We believe in the education of our youth to do the best they can.”

Last Thursday, the class raised more than $1,000 for their grad celebration by auctioning off their time for activities around the school, including cleaning up the playground, helping the caretakers, and playing with younger students at recess.

That same day, however, the students began talking in class about the devastation in and around Fort McMurray. They agreed to donate $1,000 from the auction to the Red Cross, which as of Monday had raised $54 million.

“I like the fact the youth brings some attention to the way the world should run,” Strong said.

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